Clamp type connector



Oct 19, 1954 V DUSEN, JR 2,692,375

CLAMP TYPE CONNECTOR Filed Oct. 25 1951 INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 19, 1954 CLAMP TYPE CONNECTOR Harold A. Van Dusen, Jr., South Milwaukee, Wis.,

assignor to McGr-aw Electric Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application October 25, 1951; Serial No. 253,139

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improvement in washers and in particular to a cup-shaped washer to be used on a swinging clamp type connector for electrical power lines. a

A swinging clamp U-bolt connector covered by U. S. Patent No. 2,432,635 issued to Anthony Van Ryan and assigned to the same assignee as this application, has proved to be an excellent connector for electric cables. It incorporates many desirable features to make it easier and safer for the lineman. Features such as allowing large conductors to pass freely between the legs of the U-bolt while the middle channel and the lower keeper channel are swung open and at the same time the tightening nuts and Washers remain on their respective threaded legs of the U-blt. Another feature is the positioning of the U-bolt at an angle of about 45 in respect to the conductors to allow longer channels to be used. This gives a longer bearing surface which provides greater clamping strength and alleviates the possibility of distorting the conductors.

However, certain difliculties have arisen. There is nothing other than friction to prevent the lower clamp channel from swinging out while it is being tightened and after it is in use. It is also desirable to strengthen the base to prevent enlargement of the opening.

The object of this invention is to overcome these difiiculties by providing a cup-shaped washer which fits over a boss on the keeper hinge channel to lock it in place.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cup washer which adds strength to elongated or slot openings by holding the two sides together to prevent spreading.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

The embodiment that I illustrate is shown in connection with the U-bolt clamp type connector but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to only this use.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the U-bolt clamp at a 45 angle to the conductors with part of the cup washer in section.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the U-bolt clamp with the middle channel and lower keeper channel swung out.

Fig. 4 is a view of the cup washer before it is fitted over the circular boss on the keeper member, taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view of the cup washer in position on the boss, the cup washer in section, taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Like reference figures represent like parts throughout.

Referring to Fig. 4, my cup washer I consists of a circular flat base 2 with a circular opening 3 through its center for receiving a leg of the U-bolt, and a side wall 4 extending around the base 2 at right angles to the base; This wall 4 forms the cup shape which fits over a boss 5 on the lower keeper channel 6 of a U-bolt clamp connector I.

In Fig. 1 I illustrate the U-bolt clamp connector 1 consisting of a U-bolt 8 and three main members. An upper member 9 has ears I0 which fit around the top of the U-bolt 8 to hold it in place and a channel II on its under surface to fit around the top of a conductor I2.

An intermediate member I3 has channels on both its upper and lower surfaces, the upper channel fitting around the lower side of the cable I2 and a lower channel I4 fitting over the upper surface of a second conductor I5. This intermediate member I3 is hinged around the leg 8a on one end corner and has a hook protrusion I6 at the other and opposite end corner that serves to position the member I3 between the cables I2 and I5 when the hook I6 contacts the leg 8b of the U-bolt B.

The third main member 6 has a channel I! on its upper surface which fits around the lower part of the cable I5. This lower member 6 is the keeper member of the clamp and is hinged on the leg 8a at one end. At the other end of member 6 is an elongated hook opening I8 that engages the leg 8b when in clamping position. Forming a collar around this opening I8 is the boss 5 extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the keeper 6. This boss 5 serves as the seating member for my cup-shaped washer I.

By referring to the various Figs, especially Fig. 3, it can be seen that when my cup-shaped washer I seats on the boss 5 which surrounds the opening I 8, it looks the swinging keeper member 6 in clamping position preventing it from swinging open when being tightened by nuts I9 and washers 20. The cup washer I by engaging the boss 5 adds strength to the base and prevents the elongated opening I8 from spreading and losing its hook quality.

The attributes of the clamp type connectorare fully set forth in Anthony Van Ryans Patent No. 2,432,635 and in use it has provided an excellent means of clamping two conductors together tightening tends to distort the hinge member,

eventually rendering it unusable for further use,

Over tightening also tends to lessen the bearing surface which reduces grippingistrength. Therefore, it can be seen that with my cup-shaped washer in combination with the clamping "device, I provide a needed improvement in clamp type connectors.

I claim:

1. In a clamp type :connector of the U-bolt type .for connecting a .pair of conductors, said connector comprising three clamping members, a U-bolt having the -bight ;portion thereof embracing the top clamping member, an intermediate member pivotally secured to one of the :legs of :said U-bo'lt, a lower :member jpivota'lly secured to one of the legs of said w-bolt :having a slot therein to 'embracingly engage the other leg 'of said U -bolt, a raised boss :portion about said sl'ot, a mating washer having a marginal flanged portion cooperatively engaging said boss portion when said slotted lower :member is brought into engagement with the other leg of said U-bolt, tightening means on both of said legs of said U-bolt to'secure the conductors, theflang'ed washer and boss portion cooperating with said lower member to prevent movement towards disengagemerit of said lower member and said other leg when theconductorsare secured thereby providing higher bearing pressures on the conductor whereby a better electrical joint isse'cure'd.

2. In a clamp type connector of the U-bolt type for connecting a pair of conductors, said connector comprising three clamping members, a U-bolt having the bight portion thereof embracing the top clamping member, an intermediate member pivotally secured to one of the legs of said U-bolt, a lower member pivotally secured to one 'of the legs of said iii-bolt having a slot therein to embracingly engage the other leg of said U-bolt, a raised boss portion about said slot, a mating washer having a marginal flanged portion cooperatively engaging said boss portion when said slotted lower member is brought into engagement with the other leg of said U-bolt, tightening means on both of said legs of said ii-bolt to secure the conductors, the flanged washer .and boss portion cooperating with said lower member to prevent movement towards disengagement of said lower member and said other leg when the conductor-s are secured thereby pro-- viding higher bearing pressures-on the conductor whereby a better electrical joint is secured, and cooperating lateral grooves in said three clamping members to accommodate the :conductors positioned therebetween.

References Cited in the me 'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I *Name Date "1,946,752 Miller "Feb. 13,1934 2,077,613 Bondeson Apr. 20, 1937 2,194,883 Burton Mar. 26, 1940 2,221,923 Passauer Nov. 19, 1940 2,242,573 Edwards Mas "'20, 1941 2,374,309 ROXS Apr. 24, 1945 2,432,635 Van Ryan Dec. 16, 1947 2,508,912 Ginns May 23, 1950 2,566,725 Hoadley Sept. '4, l-951 

